51 Groups Seek Objective Hearings on Muslim 'Radicalization'

WASHINGTON - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today joined dozens
of other community, interfaith and civil rights groups in calling on
leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives to change the focus of
planned hearings on Muslim "radicalization" so that they examine
violence motivated by extremist beliefs "in all its forms, in a full,
fair and objective way."

A joint letter
to House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi signed
by CAIR and 50 other groups states in part: (The letter was coordinated
by Muslim Advocates.)

"The undersigned community organizations and groups concerned
about civil and human rights and national security strongly object to
the hearings on violent extremism recently announced by the Chair of the
Committee on Homeland Security, Congressman Peter King ...

"Chairman King has characterized the hearings, tentatively
scheduled for February 2011, as focusing exclusively on the
'radicalization of the American Muslim community and homegrown
terrorism.' If Chairman King proceeds with these hearings, please urge
him to address all forms of violence motivated by extremist beliefs and
to do so in a full, fair, and objective way ...

"Singling out a group of Americans for government scrutiny
based on their faith is divisive and wrong. These hearings will
inevitably examine activities protected by the First Amendment, an
affront to fundamental freedoms upon which our country was founded. It
harkens back to hearings held in the 1950s by then-U.S. Senator Joe
McCarthy. That dark chapter in our history taught us that Congress has a
solemn duty to wield its investigatory power responsibly ...

"These hearings will almost certainly increase widespread
suspicion and mistrust of the American Muslim community and stoke
anti-Muslim sentiment. During 2010, we saw an increase in anti-Muslim
hatred in public discourse, as well as hate crimes and violence
targeting American Muslims, and those perceived to be Muslim, including
vandalism and arson of mosques, physical attacks, bullying of children
in schools, and attempted murder. No American should live in fear for
his or her safety, and Congress should not help create a climate where
it is acceptable to target a particular faith community for
discrimination, harassment, and violence ...

We strongly urge you to object to the hearings in their
current form. If Chairman King wishes to address violent extremism, then
we hope you will ensure that he examines violence motivated by
extremist beliefs, in all its forms, in a full, fair and objective way.
The hearings should proceed from a clear understanding that individuals
are responsible for their actions, not entire communities."

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy
organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam,
encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims,
and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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